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Featured Collaborations:
Transform your ensembles into a thriving student-centered music program
Discover practical strategies to build trust, increase engagement, and elevate musical achievement through student ownership and servant leadership. The collective wisdom shared by eleven outstanding band, choir, and orchestra instructors in Crafting Culture guides both aspiring and veteran music teachers through the challenges and joys of creating a culture of excellence in their music programs. This resource provides ready-to-use tools that empower students, strengthen culture, and create rehearsals where every performer feels valued and invested.
CRAFTING CULTURE: Becoming a Music Teacher Leader
Created & Compiled by David W. Vandewalker and Tim Lautzenheiser
Contributors: Matthew Arau • Maurice Burgess • Cecilia Clark
Cara Froelich • Jonathan Glawe • Paul Kile • Mary Land • Tim Lautzenheiser
Scott Rush • David W. Vandewalker • Taylor Watts
Meet Dr. V
David W. Vandewalker serves as the conductor of the Georgia Wind Symphony, executive director for the Servant Leadership Association for Music, and Founder of Strategic Boosters®. Additionally, he served as the Coordinator of Performing Arts for the Fulton County Schools (2016-2020), associate conductor for Tara Winds (2017-2019), assistant director of bands at Georgia State University (2012-2016) and Director of Bands at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia (2000-2012). Dr. Vandewalker earned degrees at Baylor University,
Central Michigan University, and Boston University.
David is a recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor, ten-NBA Citation of Excellence Awards, three National Wind Band Honors Awards, and is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association. David and his wife Pamela spend their time in Atlanta, GA. and in the
Smoky Mountains near Gatlinburg, TN,
CONDUCTING
American Bandmasters Association Conference
Guest Conductor
Honor Band Conductor
Arkansas All-State Symphonic Band
Oklahoma All-State Symphonic Band
NYSSMA All-State Wind Ensemble
University of Alabama Honor Band
University of Kentucky Honor Band
Laban Conducting Seminar, Presenter
Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
Georgia State University, GA
Conn-Selmer Institute
The Midwest Clinic, Chicago IL
River Trail MS Symphonic Band (’24),
guest conductor
Johns Creek HS Chamber Orchestra (’17, ’22),
guest conductor
Alpharetta HS Symphony Strings (’18),
guest conductor
Harrison HS Wind Ensemble (’99, ’07),
conductor
Music for All National Concert Festival
Evaluator (’08-’20)
Conductor, Harrison Wind Ensemble (’99, ’03, ’06)
Highlights
CLINIC & COACHING
The Midwest Clinic, Chicago IL
Presenter/Clinician
Making It Their Space (’25)
Keep ‘Em Once You Have ‘Em (’24)
Strategies for Rebuilding Programs (’21)
Strategic Boosters: How to Thrive,
Not Just Survive (’17)
It’s All About the Clarity (’10)
In-service Conference Presenter
Art of Teaching Music Symposium, SMU
STATE Music Educators Associations (Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio)
State Bandmaster Association
(Missouri, Tennessee, Texas)
Conn-Selmer Institute
(National, Atlanta, Kansas, & Arizona)
Music for All Summer Symposium
Smith Walbridge Director’s Workshop
Western Carolina University Symposium
Crafting Culture: Becoming a Music Teacher Leader Certification, endorsed trainer
Methods and Administration,
Guest Lecturer
Central Washington University
University of Alabama
University of Georgia
University of South Carolina
Georgia State University
Georgia Southern University
Northern Arizona University
Sam Houston State University
Towson University
Western Michigan University
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Harrison High School Marching Band
Georgia State University Marching Band
CBDNA Peer-Reviewed Top Ensembles
National Top 10 Marching Bands, GSU
Southeastern Regional Top 5 Marching Bands, GSU
Music for All Regional Marching Championships
5 Regional Grand Championships
Grand Nationals Finalist
Summer Leadership Institute
GSU (’11-16)
Strategic Booster Institute
Feature Presenter
Texas Bandmaster Conference
(’08-’26)
Conn-Selmer Atlanta (’22-’25)
Music For All Summer Symposium
(’15-’20)
MARCHING ARTS
Select Publications Contributed by
Dr. Vandewalker
Vandewalker, D. W. (in press). Strategic Rehearsing for Superior Musical Performance. GIA Publications:
Chicago.
Lautzenheiser, T. & Vandewalker, D.W. (2024). Crafting Culture: Becoming a Music Teacher Leader. GIA Publications: Chicago.
Andre, S., Christian, B., Lautzenheiser, T., & Vandewalker, D. (2024, July 23–26). Keep ’em once you have ’em: How culture and connection in your program can improve retention [Conference handout]. Texas Bandmasters Association Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX,
Vandewalker, D. (2023). Crafting win-win connections. Texas Bandmaster Review, 24(4).
Vandewalker, D. W. (2020). Strategic Boosters Academy, Vision Publications: Atlanta
Vandewalker, D. W. (2017). Imagery and metaphor: Effective wind band pedagogy for expressive performance. Praxis, 2(1).
Vandewalker, D. W. (2016). Boosters to the rescue: Handbook for educators, GIA: Chicago.
Vandewalker, D. W. (2016). Strategic plans for a successful booster club, GIA: Chicago.
Vandewalker, D. and Vandewalker, P. (2016). Teeny Tykes and Tunes: Africa Edition- Volume 2, Curriculum Learning Materials Center: Nairobi, Kenya.
Vandewalker, D.W. (2016). Purposeful instructional strategies for expressive performance. National Band Association Journal, Volume LVI, Issue 2.
Vandewalker, D. W. (2016). Where are we, where do we want to be, how do we get there? In A. S. Meyer (Ed.), Rehearsing the high school band. Hal Leonard Corporation.
Vandewalker, D. and Vandewalker, P. (2015). Teeny Tykes and Tunes: Africa Edition, Curriculum Learning Materials Center: Nairobi, Kenya.
Vandewalker, D.W. (2015). Investing in Your Volunteers with C.A.R.E.,” Texas Bandmaster Review, Volume 16, Issue 2.